Today, the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&Ds) will vote to strongly reject an EPP-led resolution that irresponsibly attacks the Colombian Authorities and risks adding fuel to the fire just months before elections in an already deeply polarised country. From the outset, the S&Ds have worked to ensure that the text addresses the real challenges faced by the Colombian people and reaffirms the EU’s political and financial support for Colombia’s peace process.

Unfortunately, the final text pushed through by the European People’s Party (EPP), with the support of the far right fails to do so. The EPP-led text attempts to link President Petro’s policies to the rise in violence, including the tragic murder of Senator Uribe. It shifts the focus towards Venezuela and revives the failed ‘war on drugs’ strategy by calling for the designation of drug traffickers as terrorists. Most worryingly, it undermines support for the 2016 Peace Agreement and for the Total Peace initiative, which are essential for Colombia’s future. These are allegations that the S&D Group cannot accept and will therefore vote against this resolution.  

Robert Biedroń, S&D chair for the delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community, said: 

“The S&Ds tabled a resolution addressing Colombia’s most urgent challenges. We called for full investigations into the murder of Senator Uribe and recent terrorist attacks, underlined the slow implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement, reaffirmed our support for President Petro’s Total Peace initiative, and stressed the EU’s role in reducing inequality and creating opportunities for Colombians. Sadly, the EPP and far right chose a different agenda – shifting focus to Venezuela, reviving the failed ‘war on drugs,’ and undermining both the 2016 Agreement and Total Peace. This is unacceptable, which is why we will vote against this resolution. 

“The S&D Group stands firmly with the Colombian people. We remain committed to peace, justice, and the fight against inequality as the only way to dismantle criminal organisations and build a sustainable future. We call on the Commission and member states to step up technical and financial support for human rights and for victims of violence.”

Leire Pajín, vice-chair for the Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, said: 

“We in the S&D Group extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and our full solidarity with the people of Colombia. We firmly condemn all acts of violence and terrorism and call on the Colombian Government to investigate and bring those responsible to justice. We welcome its commitment to peace, including the Total Peace initiative, with its focus on dialogue and the reintegration of ex-combatants. At the same time, we are deeply concerned by the surge in violence, fuelled by fragmented armed groups, criminal organisations, and illegal economies. These challenges make it all the more urgent to reinforce the European Union’s political and financial support for Colombia’s peace efforts.”